Method and system for preventing vehicle misfuelling

ABSTRACT

A method and system for preventing vehicle misfuelling by utilizing an apparatus that receives a fuel nozzle into the filler neck, and activates a vacuum on the nozzle inserted therein. Using the pump&#39;s internal shut-off mechanism, this prevents the fuel pump from dispensing fuel until the sensing unit within the apparatus is able to identify the fuel proposed to be added to the tank. If the fuel is deemed acceptable, the vacuum is released, and the fuel is permitted to enter into the desired fuel tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system ofpreventing the addition of the wrong type of fuel to a fuel tank, bymonitoring the vapor pressure of the fuel being added, and if detectedas the incorrect fuel, shutting off the supply by activating the fuelpump's shutoff via maintaining a vacuum on the fuel nozzle or byinducing increased back pressure in the fuel tank.

[0002] Because of differing types of fuel being offered at fillingstations, it is frequent that the wrong type of fuel will be added to avehicle's tank. Particularly troublesome is the confusion between dieseland gasoline fuels, which because of their chemical properties, are notinterchangeable. Furthermore, the addition of the wrong type of fuelwill not only fail to power the vehicle, but also exposes the engine tothe possibility of serious damage.

[0003] Various methods have been implemented to prevent the confusion ofthe fuels, including the manufacture of diesel fuel nozzles and fillernecks being a larger diameter than their gasoline counterparts. Thisworks relatively well for automotive use, since the fuel aperture ingasoline-powered cars are intentionally narrower as to prevent theintroduction of a diesel nozzle into the filler neck. However, theconverse is not true. Diesel filler necks readily accept the smallergasoline filler nozzle, and so without proper attention, large amountsof money can be lost on an oversight when the wrong fuel is added to anengine and causes is to malfunction, or in some cases, to injure thosewho may be in the proximity.

[0004] The present invention alleviates this problem by effectivelypreventing the addition of any type of fuel that can be identified byvapor pressure from being added to a properly equipped fuel tank.Additionally, having such a device capable of being retrofitted tocurrent vehicles enables end users to equip their own vehicles, ratherthan relying upon filling stations to retrofit their pumps with asimilar system.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a device thatidentifies a fuel by vapor pressure and then selectively maintain avacuum and/or controls a valve to prevent the addition of an undesiredfuel to a fuel tank.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to identify a fuel byvapor pressure, and to increase the back pressure in a fuel tank toengage the fuel pump's internal shut-off if the fuel being added doesnot match the specified fuel to be added to the tank.

[0007] Still another objective of this invention is to fill a long feltneed in the art for such devices, since as far as is known, there is nosuch device or method for automatically preventing the addition ofincorrect fuel based on a receiving-side monitoring system.

[0008] Still another objective of the invention is to provide a methodto prevent the addition of any fuel not matching the appropriate vaporpressure by applying a vacuum to a fuel nozzle or increasing backpressure inside the fuel tank, thus engaging the fuel pump's automaticshut-off.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of this invention shall becomeapparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.

[0010] According to the present invention, the apparatus receives a fuelnozzle into the filler neck, and activates a vacuum on the nozzleinserted therein. Using the pump's internal shut-off mechanism, thisprevents the fuel pump from dispensing fuel until the sensing unitwithin the apparatus is able to identify the fuel proposed to be addedto the tank. If the fuel is deemed acceptable, the vacuum is released,and the fuel is permitted to enter into the desired fuel tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthis invention. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment isintended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. Theyare but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may bepracticed.

[0012]FIG. 1A shows cutaway view of the fuel detection assembly.

[0013]FIG. 1B shows a front view of the valve screen in FIG. 1A.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a landscape view of a vehicle being fuelled.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows a front view of the control panel and switches forthe detection unit.

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of an alternate embodiment of the fueldetection assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention,reference is made to the figures in describing the preferred embodimentsof the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, apparatus 300 is used tosense the type of fuel being added to fuel tank 106. Fuel tank 106 canbe one of many types, such as that of a motor vehicle, aircraft,spacecraft, watercraft, free standing tank or any other vessel used tostore fuel. Fuel 105 can be gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, rocketfuel, or any other type of fuel. Apparatus 300 comprises filler neck302, where most of the device's components are located. Within fillerneck 302 is chamber 304, forming cavity 308 between filler neck 302 andchamber 304. At one end of chamber 304 is valve 303 which can preventany fuel 105 or liquid from entering fuel tank 106 when closed. Thevalve 303 can be operated by any number of devices, such as solenoid312. A short distance toward the inside of chamber 304 beyond valve 303is valve screen 307, shown in greater detail in FIG. 1B. At the oppositeend of chamber 304 is the fuel nozzle aperture 305, which contains door313, on which is mounted switch 307. A short distance down chamber 304from fuel nozzle aperture 305 is gasket 306. There is also fluidpassageway 309 which connects chamber 304 to cavity 308. Within fluidpassageway 309 is sensing unit 310 and vacuum pump 311.

[0018] Sensing unit 310 can be any type of sensor, detector, catalyst orthe like, which could be used to identify fuel 105 and relay data usedto operate apparatus 300. A commercially available example of one suchsensor is the Figaro TGS 813, which is capable of measuring fuel 105vapor pressure. Another example is the Delphian Catalytic Bead Sensor,which can be employed to detect the upper or lower explosion limits offuel 105 by measuring the exothermic energy produced by fuel 105 when itcomes in contact with a catalyst. Further examples of possible sensorsare infrared detectors which identify fuel 105 by passing infrared lightthrough fuel 105, or various catalytic reactions that permit theidentification of fuels.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, an alarm unit 401 can also be employed inconjunction with apparatus 300. Alarm unit 401 can be connected tosensing unit 310, vacuum pump 311, solenoid 312, and valve 303,depending on the selected configuration. Alarm unit 401 can have variousindicators and/or alarms, such as an operating indicator 402, alarmindicator 403, reset switch 404, test switch 405 and audible alarm 406.

[0020] In operation, fuel nozzle 111 is inserted into fuel nozzleaperture 305 opening door 313 and is inserted into gasket 306, whichcreates a seal around fuel nozzle 111. Once door 313 is opened, switch307 activates vacuum pump 311 and closes valve 303. The seal created bygasket 306 and valve 303 encloses chamber 304 and when vacuum pump 311is turned on, a vacuum is created within chamber 304. Generally, fuelpumps 112 are configured to shut off automatically once fuel tank 106 isfull, by detecting when fuel 105 covers detection hole 113 on fuelnozzle 111. Once this occurs, fuel pump 112 ceases dispensing fuel 105.Using this concept, the vacuum created in chamber 304 achieves the sameresult as fuel 105 covering detection hole 113, and thus causes fuelpump 112 to shut off in a similar fashion.

[0021] Once fuel nozzle 111 is inserted into chamber 304, sensing unit310 will be able to detect the type of fuel 105 that is being dispensed,and make a logical determination whether to open valve 303 and turn offvacuum pump 311, thus permitting fuel 105 to enter fuel tank 106.Alternately, sensing unit 310 can make the determination that fuel 105is inappropriate, and leave valve 303 closed and keep vacuum pump 311 onto prevent any fuel from entering fuel tank 106. Audible alarm 406 canalso be activated with alarm indicator 403 if so configured to indicateto the user that fuel 105 is incorrect.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment, there is apparatus 100for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tank is illustratedcomprising vent tube 101 which runs from the atmosphere to fuel tank106. Vent tube 101 also has valve 102 integrated with it whose open orclosed position can be controlled by actuator 103. Actuator 103 isconnected or otherwise maintains communication with sensing unit 104which can be used to measure the vapor pressure of fuel 105 being addedto fuel tank 106. Actuator can be any device capable of adjusting theposition of valve 102, such as solenoid 107.

[0023] Additional components can be added to increase the efficiency ofapparatus 100, such as surge protector 108, which aid in preventingsplashing back of fuel 105 onto sensing unit 104. Alternately, or incombination, deflector 113 can also be used for this task.

[0024] As indicated above, referring to FIG. 3, an alarm unit 401 canalso be employed in conjunction with apparatus 100.

[0025] In operation, filler nozzle 111 is inserted into filler neck 110in order to fill fuel tank 106. As fuel 105 is being dispensed, sensingunit 104 detects the identity of fuel 105 and determines if it is theproper fuel to be added to fuel tank 106. If it is determined to be thecorrect fuel, no action is taken. If, however, the fuel is determined tobe the wrong fuel, sensing unit 104 will either directly or through anytype of logical control, close valve 102. This can be accomplished usingthe aforementioned solenoid 107. Once valve 102 is closed, vent tube 101is no longer vented to the atmosphere, and vapor pressure within fueltank 106 increases rapidly, which activates the fuel pump's 112 internalshut off mechanism. This mechanism is already in place in most fuelpumps 112, as this measurement of vapor pressure is what indicates thefuel tank is full. In the present invention, fuel pump 112 is “tricked”into believing fuel tank 106 is full, thereby cutting off fuel 105 flow.

[0026] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention havebeen described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuelbeing added to a fuel tank comprising: (a) a filler neck sized to permitinsertion of a fuel nozzle and having a passageway to permit fuel toflow from said nozzle to said fuel tank; (b) a valve affixed across saidfiller neck passageway at a position to control the flow of fuel throughsaid filler neck to said fuel tank; (c) a valve actuator operativelyaffixed to said valve to cause said valve to open and close saidpassageway depending upon a signal received from a sensing unit; (d) avacuum pump configured to create a vacuum within said filler neck whensaid valve closes said passageway; (e) said sensing unit operativelyconnected to said valve actuator and configured to measure vaporpressure of said fuel being added to said fuel tank through said fillerneck, comparing said measured vapor pressure to predetermined vaporpressure values, and transmitting a signal to cause said valve actuatorto open or close and to cause said vacuum pump to turn on or offdepending upon the results of said comparison;
 2. An apparatus forsensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tank according to claim 1wherein said sensing unit is operatively connected to said valveactuator and configured to measure vapor pressure of said fuel beingadded to said fuel tank through said filler neck, comparing saidmeasured vapor pressure to a predetermined vapor pressure value, andcausing said valve actuator to close said valve if said comparisonindicates the values are above or below said predetermined vaporpressure value.
 3. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuel being addedto a fuel tank according to claim 2 further comprising an alarm unitcomprising a visual and audible alarm indicator, operating indicator,test and reset switches.
 4. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuelbeing added to a fuel tank according to claim 1 further comprising asolenoid operatively connected to said valve for opening and closingsaid valve.
 5. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added toa fuel tank comprising: (a) a vent tube operatively connecting said fueltank to the atmosphere; (b) a valve configured to close said vent tubewhereby back pressure in said fuel tank may be increased; (c) a valveactuator operatively affixed to said valve to open and close said valve;and (d) a sensing unit operatively connected to said valve actuator andconfigured to measure vapor pressure of said fuel being added to saidfuel tank through a filler neck, comparing said measured vapor pressureto predetermined vapor pressure values, and causing said valve actuatorto open or close depending upon the results of said comparison.
 6. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 5 wherein said sensing unit operatively connected tosaid valve actuator and configured to measure vapor pressure of saidfuel being added to said fuel tank through said filler neck, comparingsaid measured vapor pressure to a predetermined vapor pressure value,and causing said valve actuator to close said valve if said comparisonindicates the values are above or below said predetermined vaporpressure value.
 7. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuel being addedto a fuel tank according to claim 5 further comprising a surge protectorto prevent said addition of fuel from contacting said sensor.
 8. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 7 further comprising a deflector for preventing saidaddition of fuel from contacting said sensor.
 9. An apparatus forsensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tank according to claim 5further comprising a deflector for preventing said addition of fuel fromcontacting said sensor.
 10. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuelbeing added to a fuel tank according to claim 5 further comprising analarm unit comprising a visual and audible alarm indicator, operatingindicator, test and reset switches.
 11. An apparatus for sensing thetype of fuel being added to a fuel tank according to claim 10 furthercomprising a surge protector to prevent said addition of fuel fromcontacting said sensor.
 12. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuelbeing added to a fuel tank according to claim 11 further comprising adeflector for preventing said addition of fuel from contacting saidsensor.
 13. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to afuel tank according to claim 10 further comprising a deflector forpreventing said addition of fuel from contacting said sensor.
 14. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 5 further comprising a solenoid operatively connectedto said valve for opening and closing said valve.
 15. A method formonitoring the addition of fuel to a fuel tank comprising the step(s)of: (a) measuring the vapor pressure of said fuel to said fuel tank by asensor; (b) comparing said measured vapor pressure to a known vaporpressure to determine if said vapor pressure is equal to said knownvapor pressure; and (c) making a logical determination based on saidcomparison to open or close a valve to permit fuel flow to said fueltank.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said valve ispositioned in an atmospheric vent tube.
 17. A method according to claim16 wherein said closing is induced by said sensor sending an electricalclosing signal to a solenoid valve positioned in said vent tube.
 18. Amethod for monitoring the addition of fuel to a fuel tank comprising thestep(s) of: (a) installing a receiving-side filler neck such as theapparatus disclosed in claim 1 to a vehicle; (b) utilizing saidapparatus to determine the vapor pressure of said fuel being added tosaid fuel tank; and (c) enabling or preventing the addition of said fuelto said fuel tank based on said determination of said apparatus.
 19. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankcomprising: (a) a filler neck sized to permit insertion of a fuel nozzleand having a passageway to permit fuel to flow from said nozzle to saidfuel tank; (b) a valve affixed across said filler neck passageway at aposition to control the flow of fuel through said filler neck to saidfuel tank; (c) a valve actuator operatively affixed to said valve tocause said valve to open and close said passageway depending upon asignal received from a sensing unit; (d) a vacuum pump configured tocreate a vacuum within said filler neck when said valve closes saidpassageway; (e) said sensing unit operatively connected to said valveactuator and configured to measure the exothermic energy produced by areaction of a catalyst with said fuel being added to said fuel tankthrough said filler neck, comparing said exothermic energy measurementto predetermined exothermic energy data, and transmitting a signal tocause said valve actuator to open or close and to cause said vacuum pumpto turn on or off depending upon the results of said comparison;
 20. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 1 wherein said sensing unit is operatively connectedto said valve actuator and configured to measure of said fuel beingadded to said fuel tank through said filler neck, comparing saidexothermic energy measurement to predetermined exothermic energy data,and causing said valve actuator to close said valve if said comparisonindicates the values are above or below said predetermined exothermicenergy data.
 21. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuel being addedto a fuel tank according to claim 20 further comprising an alarm unitcomprising a visual and audible alarm indicator, operating indicator,test and reset switches.
 22. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuelbeing added to a fuel tank according to claim 20 further comprising asolenoid operatively connected to said valve for opening and closingsaid valve.
 23. An apparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added toa fuel tank comprising: (a) a filler neck sized to permit insertion of afuel nozzle and having a passageway to permit fuel to flow from saidnozzle to said fuel tank; (b) a valve affixed across said filler neckpassageway at a position to control the flow of fuel through said fillerneck to said fuel tank; (c) a valve actuator operatively affixed to saidvalve to cause said valve to open and close said passageway dependingupon a signal received from a sensing unit; (d) a vacuum pump configuredto create a vacuum within said filler neck when said valve closes saidpassageway; (e) said sensing unit operatively connected to said valveactuator and configured to supply identification data about said fuelbeing added to said fuel tank through said filler neck, comparing saididentification data to predetermined data, and transmitting a signal tocause said valve actuator to open or close and to cause said vacuum pumpto turn on or off depending upon the results of said comparison.
 24. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 23 wherein said sensing unit is operatively connectedto said valve actuator and configured to supply identification dataabout said fuel being added to said fuel tank through said filler neck,comparing said identification data to predetermined data, and causingsaid valve actuator to close said valve if said comparison indicates thevalues are above or below said predetermined data.
 25. An apparatus forsensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tank according to claim24 further comprising an alarm unit comprising a visual and audiblealarm indicator, operating indicator, test and reset switches.
 26. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 23 further comprising a solenoid operativelyconnected to said valve for opening and closing said valve.
 27. Anapparatus for sensing the type of fuel being added to a fuel tankaccording to claim 23 wherein said sensing unit is an infrared fueldetector.